Knives Out 3: Wake Up Dead Man: Release Date Confirmed & What We Know So Far
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
Since the release of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, fans of the whodunit genre have been eagerly awaiting news on the next chapter of Detective Benoit Blanc’s adventures.
With Daniel Craig set to reprise his role as the sharp-witted detective, Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out Movie in the franchise, is already stirring excitement among audiences and critics alike.
Here’s everything we’ve gathered about the upcoming Knives Out 3, from its confirmed release date to the cast and plot teases.
A Record-Breaking Deal Paves the Way
Director Rian Johnson’s partnership with Netflix, inked at a staggering $400 million, not only signifies one of the most lucrative deals in streaming history but also cements the future of the Knives Out franchise on the platform.
Following the critical and commercial success of Glass Onion, Johnson has the creative freedom to take Detective Blanc in new directions, promising a fresh narrative approach while maintaining the intrigue and intelligence that fans have come to expect.
Release Date Confirmation
Get ready to sharpen your detective skills because Knives Out 3, officially titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, is set to premiere on Netflix on December 12, 2025.
Mark your calendars for this early holiday treat when the ever-dapper Benoit Blanc, tackles his “most dangerous case yet”.
Fans of the Knives Out series put their detective hats on when Netflix dropped a pair of cryptic teasers for the film and here’s how the clues unfolded:
Teaser 1: Featured a gloomy church and ringing bells, with the caption: “The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.”
This is a direct quote from Proverbs 12:12 in the Bible.
Teaser 2: Showed a graveyard and a looming cross, captioned: “The devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
This is a reference to Revelation 12:12.
Fans quickly noticed that both teasers referenced chapter 12, verse 12 from different books of the Bible which led to speculation that the movie would be released on 12/12, or December 12.
The theory was confirmed when Netflix officially announced the release date as December 12, 2025.
What is Wake Up Dead Man About?
Netflix and director Rian Johnson are keeping most plot details for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery tightly under wraps, but several clues have emerged.
The story centers on Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigating a murder that takes place within a church congregation, with Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) as a key figure.
The film is described as the darkest in the series so far, featuring gothic imagery, crypts, and a congregation that may view the crime as a miracle rather than a murder.
Blanc must unravel not just the “impossible crime” but also confront a community in denial, making this his most dangerous and complex case yet.
A Fresh Ensemble Cast
True to the series’ formula, Knives Out 3 is expected to introduce a vibrant spectrum of characters, encapsulated by a star-studded cast.
While Daniel Craig’s return as Benoit Blanc is confirmed, the ensemble will feature a mix of new faces alongside potentially familiar ones, such as Noah Segan in a new role, continuing his streak of appearances in Johnson’s films.
Because we don’t know what the exact plot of the film is, we only have confirmed cast members and the characters they play but without any real context as to how they fit in with the story:
- Josh O’Connor – Rev. Jud Duplenticy
- Glenn Close – Martha Delacroix
- Josh Brolin – Msgr. Jefferson Micks
- Mila Kunis – Geraldine Scott
- Jeremy Renner – Dr. Nat Sharp
- Kerry Washington – Vera Draven
- Andrew Scott – Lee Ross
- Cailee Spaeny – Simone Vivane
- Daryl McCormack – Cy Draven
- Thomas Haden Church – Samson Holt
Johnson has hinted at a narrative that breaks from its predecessors, both tonally and thematically.
After Glass Onion took audiences to Greece, the third film is set in London where it was filmed.
We know now, given that the title Wake Up Dead Man references a U2 song, is that this will have a religious theme or the presence of a larger-than-life figure whose death is central to the plot.
The announcement trailer featured a black coffin, suggesting a death will be at the centre of the mystery. There are also stills from the film showing Josh O’Connor and Josh Brolin dressed as a priests.
I think they missed a trick not putting Andrew Scott back in the collar (aka Hot Priest from Fleabag!) but I’ll get over it…
Beyond the Third Movie
While the excitement builds, Johnson and Craig are mindful of the franchise’s future. Both are committed to maintaining the quality and originality of the films, with a focus on delivering stories that are worth telling.
The possibility of a Muppet-themed Knives Out movie, while entertained by Johnson, highlights the creative and playful speculation surrounding the franchise’s potential directions.
And ever the puzzle master, did you know that Rian Johnson has named all three of the movies in the franchise after songs?
Wake Up Dead Man is titled after “Wake Up Dead Man,” a song by U2.
Glass Onion – takes its title from “Glass Onion,” a song by The Beatles.
Knives Out is named after the song “Knives Out” by Radiohead, although the song does not appear in the movie.
Clearly sticking with his commitment to keep each Knives Out film fresh and different from the others, we look forward to a new mystery with a new location, cast, and plot on Netflix in 2025.
And while I wish I could tell you that number four is in the pipeline, there is no word yet on whether or not that will happen.
Rian Johnson is a very, very busy man and so far is writing and directing at least three episodes of an untitled Star Wars tv/movie series for Disney, is an executive producer for an upcoming Showtime crime series called The Whites and is producing a Gene Kelly film starring Chris Evans.
And all of that is on top of having just released the second season of Poker Face (think modern day Columbo) starring Natasha Lyonne.
I’m exhausted just thinking about all that work…
